A French program designed to provide follow-up support to individuals after a suicide attempt has expanded to include younger patients, aged 6-15, in the Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis regions. The expansion, initiated in , comes amid a growing crisis in child psychiatry and a shortage of available hospital beds, offering a crucial lifeline to families often overwhelmed after a child’s return home from care.
Known as VigilanS, the system was initially launched in at the GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences (Sainte-Anne hospital) and has since demonstrated effectiveness in supporting adults and adolescents aged 16 and older. It functions as a recontact and alert system, connecting individuals who have attempted suicide with a network of healthcare professionals who maintain regular contact. The program’s expansion to younger children addresses a previously unmet need, particularly given recent data highlighting a concerning rise in self-harm among this age group.
Data from France’s Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees) revealed a 22% increase
in hospitalizations for self-inflicted acts among 10-14 year olds between and , with young girls being disproportionately affected. The High Council for Family, Childhood and Age (HCFEA) has also noted a growing disparity between increasing demand for mental health services for children and a persistent lack of available care.
The VigilanS program for younger children utilizes a reinforced monitoring algorithm. Parents or legal representatives are contacted to establish the terms of engagement. Telephone conversations, conducted by nurses and psychologists, assess not only mood and suicidal ideation but also key pediatric indicators such as sleep patterns, appetite, school engagement, and interpersonal relationships. Importantly, contact frequency is increased compared to the support provided to adult patients.
According to Mehdi AMINI, a VigilanS Nurse and Deputy Coordinator of the Paris/Seine-Saint-Denis system, the program offers a reassuring “breathing” to families who are often distraught when returning home.
A key challenge in extending the program to younger children has been the need for professionals to develop specialized expertise in recognizing and responding to the unique characteristics of suicidal crises in children, as well as understanding emerging societal factors such as screen time, social media use, and bullying.
Currently, approximately 20% of VigilanS activity focuses on monitoring children aged 6-15. The program’s expansion is seen as a valuable clinical asset, particularly in the context of limited access to hospital beds and child psychiatrists. It provides an additional layer of support aimed at preventing suicidal reattempts.
VigilanS operates on the principle of post-hospital follow-up, re-contacting individuals who have made a suicide attempt after they have been discharged from an emergency department or other care facility. This proactive approach is considered a key component of France’s national suicide prevention strategy. In Paris alone, between 5,000 and 7,000 people attempt suicide each year.
The effectiveness of VigilanS has been evaluated in previous studies. A synthesis report from Public Health France, covering the period from to , demonstrated the program’s ability to prevent recurrence of suicide attempts. Further research continues to assess its impact and refine its strategies.
The expansion to younger children represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing mental health needs of this vulnerable population. By providing timely support and monitoring, VigilanS aims to bridge the gap in care and offer a lifeline to children and families facing a difficult and challenging situation.
For more information about VigilanS, visit the GHU Paris Psychiatrie et neurosciences website: https://www.ghu-paris.fr/fr/annuaire-des-structures-medicales/vigilans-paris
